World Cup: Executive in ticket scandal released

RIO DE JANEIRO — A World Cup corporate hospitality executive suspected of involvement with a ticket-scalping ring was released from police custody early Tuesday and returned to work.

The Associated Press

RIO DE JANEIRO — A World Cup corporate hospitality executive suspected of involvement with a ticket-scalping ring was released from police custody early Tuesday and returned to work.

Ray Whelan, of the MATCH group of companies, was arrested Monday at the Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro, the hotel used by FIFA officials during the World Cup.

Police have described Whelan as the "facilitator" who allowed a large ring of scalpers to have access to tickets, which they re-sold at vastly inflated prices. Reselling tickets for profit is illegal in Brazil.

Whelan was arrested in his luxury suite where police said they confiscated 82 tickets for upcoming matches, along with Whelan's computer, cell phone and other unspecified documents

His lawyer, Fernando Fernandes, told reporters his arrest was "illegal and absurd."

Whelan will not be allowed to leave Brazil during the tournament.

Under Brazilian law, the 64-year-old Whelan may only be charged by prosecutors after they receive the complete police investigation, which officers have 30 days to complete.

Whelan was detained for questioning after the earlier arrests of 11 people, including Algerian national Mohamadou Lamine Fofana.

Police said Whelan was heard on wiretapped phone calls negotiating ticket prices with Fofana, who was accused of being the ringleader of the scalpers.

MATCH said in a statement it has complete confidence in Whelan's innocence and that he would return to work.